There was much to celebrate at Merchant Taylors’ today as pupils received an exceptional set of GCSE results, with 45% of all grades awarded at grade 9 – the highest proportion recorded on Results Day since the return to examination-based assessment following the pandemic. Grade 9 was also the most commonly awarded grade across the year group.
Overall, 72% of grades were awarded at grades 9–8 and 89% at grades 9–7, demonstrating the strength and consistency of achievement across the cohort.
Ten pupils achieved the outstanding feat of a clean sweep of grade 9s across all ten of their GCSE subjects, while 43 pupils – more than a quarter of the year group – achieved exclusively grades 9 and 8.
There were impressive results across a broad range of subjects, reflecting the diversity of the pupils’ interests and strengths. In Mathematics, more than 86% of grades were awarded at 9-8 and 98% at 9-7. The Sciences also enjoyed another strong year: 56% of Chemistry grades, 54% of Biology grades and 49% of Physics grades awarded at grade 9, with more than 78% of grades across all three Sciences awarded at 9 or 8.
Elsewhere, 65% of German grades and 47% of English Language grades were awarded at grade 9, while 82% of Religious Studies grades achieved a 9 or 8.
Results Day also marks the beginning of the next stage of their academic journey at Taylors’. As they enter the Sixth Form, they will have the opportunity to focus more deeply on the subjects that excite and challenge them, while continuing to pursue their interests beyond the classroom.
Head Master Sam Baldock said: “These are exceptional results and the boys should be enormously proud of what they have achieved. They reflect a great deal of hard work, but also the expertise and encouragement of the teachers who have supported them along the way.”
"I also want to recognise the support of our families. For many, this has been their first experience of navigating public examinations alongside their sons, with all the anticipation that brings."
“Their encouragement and support have mattered enormously, and today is a moment for them to celebrate too. What excites me most is what these results make possible. GCSEs give each boy a strong academic foundation, but Sixth Form is an opportunity to go further: to explore the subjects that genuinely fascinate him, develop his own ideas and discover where his particular strengths might take him. I am very much looking forward to seeing this year group take that next step at Taylors’.”
We congratulate all our GCSE pupils on their achievements and look forward to welcoming them back in September as they begin the next stage of their Merchant Taylors’ education.
